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Laboratory Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Laboratory Assistant make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Assistant in the United States is $59,316 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Laboratory Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,705
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,388 to $65,277
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,991
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Laboratory Assistant Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Assistant Salaries

A Laboratory Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Laboratory Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $56,926
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $58,240
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,558
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,806
  • Expert (over 8 years): $60,972
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Laboratory Assistant less than 1 year $56,926
Early Career Level Laboratory Assistant 1-2 years $58,240
Mid-Level Level Laboratory Assistant 2-4 years $60,558
Senior-Level Level Laboratory Assistant 5-8 years $60,806
Expert Level Laboratory Assistant over 8 years $60,972

How Do Laboratory Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Laboratory Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $65,675.
  • California: $65,426.
  • Massachusetts: $64,554.

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Assistant

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $74,815
  • San Francisco: $73,996
  • Oakland: $72,437

Laboratory Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laboratory Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Laboratory Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $83,042 $40.0 40%
Financial Services $77,111 $37.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $77,111 $37.0 30%
Biotechnology $71,179 $34.0 20%
Healthcare $71,179 $34.0 20%

How Education impacts a Laboratory Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory Assistant professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Laboratory Assistant with a high school is between $53,027 and $58,571.

Laboratory Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laboratory Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 15.9%
Associate's Degree 7.6%
Bachelor's Degree 68.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.8%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.6%
View as Graph

Laboratory Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laboratory Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$53,388
Average $59,316/year
$65,277
$4,449
Average $4,943/month
$5,440
$1,027
Average $1,141/week
$1,255
$26
Average $29/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,277 $5,440 $1,255 $31
Average $59,316 $4,943 $1,141 $29
25th Percentile $53,388 $4,449 $1,027 $26

Most common benefits for Laboratory Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Laboratory Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Laboratory Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Laboratory Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Laboratory Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Columbus Arthritis Center | Columbus, OH

    Medical Laboratory Technologist

    Columbus Arthritis Center | Columbus, OH

    Medical Laboratory Technologist. Columbus Arthritis Center is one of the largest Rheumatology practices in Ohio. Our mission is to provide exceptional and ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Mettler-Toledo International, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Territory Sales Representative

    Mettler-Toledo International, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Mettler Toledo is looking for a Lab Territory Sales Representative based in Columbus, Ohio for the Labtec team. This role involves selling products, softwa... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Actalent | Columbus, OH

    Medical Laboratory Technician Technologist

    Actalent | Columbus, OH

    Medical Laboratory Technician. We are hiring for multiple Medical Laboratory Technicians here in the Columbus, Ohio areas. These positions will be performi... more

    9 Days Ago

  • IDEXX Laboratories | Columbus, OH

    Medical Laboratory Technologist

    IDEXX Laboratories | Columbus, OH

    Medical Laboratory Technologist (MT). As a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MT) at IDEXX, you will be a key contributor at one of the largest veterinary di... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Accelerated Moving & Storage, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Laboratory Relocation Specialist

    Accelerated Moving & Storage, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. This position can be seasonal for the summer or can be a full-time position after successful probationary period. Basic F... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Laboratory Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Laboratory Assistant?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Laboratory Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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